Fireworks at St. James Veterans Home a go

Monday

Jul 1, 2013 at 10:00 AMJul 1, 2013 at 12:15 PM

On July 4, the United States of America will celebrate 237 years of independence from Great Britain with its Independence Day celebration. And the mild and rainy weather has almost guaranteed that St. James' annual Fourth of July fireworks show will not be cancelled again this year.

Jim Brock

On July 4, the United States of America will celebrate 237 years of independence from Great Britain with its Independence Day celebration.

And the mild and rainy weather has almost guaranteed that St. James' annual Fourth of July fireworks show will not be cancelled again this year.

In fact, Mayor Dennis Wilson expects a big turnout this year at the St. James Veterans Home.

"It's a well-attended event, and it's a very good show," the mayor said. "The fact that it's right here on the interstate and on the grounds of the veterans home makes it a good location. They pull in a good crowd – it's always packed."

The fireworks begin at dusk. Those attending are asked to arrive early to get a good seat.

Tara Peters with the St. James Veterans Home said this event has been a joint venture between the St. James Area Chamber of Commerce and the veterans home for several years.

"The public loves the show. We think it's great that they come," she said. "It's our patriotic duty to put on the show for the veterans, and it's a treat for it to be open to the public."

Mike Brummet of Showtime Pyrotechnics is in charge of the fireworks show, which is funded jointly by the Missouri Veterans Home Assistance League and the chamber.

The chamber solicits funds from local businesses to fund its half.

Last year, the event was cancelled due to drought conditions, which resulted in a statewide fireworks ban.

As for this year's event, the show is scheduled to go on.

"The significant rainfall of the past few weeks will virtually ensure that St. James will have a fireworks display to celebrate the July 4th Independence Day Holiday this year," Wilson wrote in his recent column. "The fireworks display became a reality through the efforts of the St. James Chamber of Commerce and the MVH Assistance League. Recently erected banners on the grounds of the MVH list the primary donors who come together to make the annual fireworks display a reality. Additional donations are always welcome and can be made at the chamber office in the tourist information center."